Feast Ladle

Item Records

This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.

The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.

These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.

Description

Large wooden ladle with a deep bowl and a cylindrical shaped handle carved in the form of a sea-lion. The bottom of the mouth attaches to the top of the spoon. The nose, eyes and mouth are carved, there is shallow engraving for side fins. The end of the handle consists of the back fins formed together in an oval-like shape. Painted black but there are traces of white and orange paint.

History Of Use

Ladles were used to serve food from large feast dishes into smaller vessels. Feasting occurred at ceremonies and potlatches, as well as other important social occasions. The figures represented on feast dishes and ladles were crest figures, which owners had the rights to display, through their histories and origins, as family privileges.

Iconographic Meaning

Sea-lion is usually represented in Kwakwaka'wakw sculpture with an elongated and rounded snout, and flippers or fins.

Source

Measurements

Condition

Accession Number

Iconographic Meaning

Sea-lion is usually represented in Kwakwaka'wakw sculpture with an elongated and rounded snout, and flippers or fins.

Cultural Context

ceremonial; potlatch; status

Description

Large wooden ladle with a deep bowl and a cylindrical shaped handle carved in the form of a sea-lion. The bottom of the mouth attaches to the top of the spoon. The nose, eyes and mouth are carved, there is shallow engraving for side fins. The end of the handle consists of the back fins formed together in an oval-like shape. Painted black but there are traces of white and orange paint.

History Of Use

Ladles were used to serve food from large feast dishes into smaller vessels. Feasting occurred at ceremonies and potlatches, as well as other important social occasions. The figures represented on feast dishes and ladles were crest figures, which owners had the rights to display, through their histories and origins, as family privileges.